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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2459 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Driving Tips Five Ways To Cut Your Energy Bill (NAPSA)—Consider these simple ways to boost the environment and reduce energy consumption— not to mention your utility bill: 1. Rethink your laundry. About 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating the water. By washing full loads and using cooler water and cold-water detergents, you can save energy, water and money. An Energy Star washer uses half the energy that standard washers do, as well as much less water, and they spin clothes more efficiently, saving drying time. 2. Power up with power strips. Even when the TV and other appliances are off, they use energy if they’re plugged in. Plug them into a power strip and when not using a device flip the strip switch to off. 3. Make your thermostat work for you. Programmable electronic thermostats control room temperature depending on the time of day. Reducing the temperature by just 4 degrees will save about $130 a year on energy. If no one is home all day or you’re away for a weekend, program the thermostat accordingly. 4. Switch out your lightbulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs produce the same amount of light as traditional incandescents but last up to 10 times longer. Considering that lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average U.S. (NAPSA)—You can drive down your risk of an accident on the road if you heed the advice of some safety-award-winning truckers: • Be patient and stay focused. • Look farther ahead—let your eyes lead your wheels. • Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, PDAs or loud music. • Never drive when tired. • When passing a truck, don’t slide back into the traffic flow until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror. Saving energy and money can be a breeze once you get wind of the latest technology. electric bill, this small change can translate to significant savings. Furthermore, the installation of a motion-sensor light helps ensure you only use lights as needed. 5. Use wind as fuel. The wind is a continuous source of clean, free energy that you can harness at your own home with a utility gridconnected residential wind turbine. Incorporating wind energy into an alternative energy plan may seem to be a large initial investment, but it provides a rewarding financial return. Homeowners have reported saving up to 50 percent on their energy bill with a “backyard” wind turbine. To provide quiet, clean electricity even in very low winds, Southwest Windpower offers Skystream, a compact, user-friendly, all-inclusive wind generator. In strong winds, it can actually produce excess electricity that some utilities will buy from homeowners. You can learn more at www.skystreamenergy.com. Drive safely: Keep the proper distance from other vehicles. • Remember that blind spots can prevent a truck driver from seeing you. The rule is “if you can’t see the driver in his mirror, he cannot see you.” These tips come from the 78 FedEx drivers who won state driving championships with their driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road. Collectively, they have driven more than 92 million miles without an accident—enough to circle the globe almost 3,700 times. Note to Editors: June is “National Safety Month” but these tips will reduce accidents anytime of year. From Patio To Party Space (NAPSA)—Out, it seems, is in again. Patio parties are increasingly popular, as Americans want to both stay close to home and make the most of the home they have. Here’s How To help you get in on the outdoor fun, the interior design experts at HGTV offer three easy steps for setting an excellent outdoor buffet table: STEP 1—Start with a theme based on a color or subject matter. This way, you can throw out things that don’t work. One idea is to use a colorful scarf as a runner across a white tablecloth. Then add aspects to the table that complement the scarf in some way. STEP 2—Choose a centerpiece or other focal point. This can be a traditional flower arrangement or even a chic lighting fixture. Then, if you like, add extras such as a silk flower garland, ribbons or fabrics that visually tie in with your theme. STEP 3—Add appropriate embellishments. A simple suggestion is assembling miniature bouquets by tying small bunches of flowers together with wire and then wind- A delicious outdoor buffet can be easier to arrange than many people realize. Sometimes all it takes is thinking outside the, er, house. ing the stems with matching ribbons. If you’re craving creativity, make candleholders out of terracotta pots by painting them, turning them upside down and gluing matching saucers to the bottom. Now you have pretty pedestals for pillar candles. Learn More You can find more ideas to live green, refresh your home and love your garden in “Get Into the Spring of Things,” a free brochure created by the experts at Sam’s Club with tips from designer Taniya Nayak of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell.” Get further information about living green online at samsclub.com/spring and www.hgtv.com.
